Sign Up for Our Cancer Care and Prevention Newsletter

Thanks for signing up!

I have multiple myeloma and part of my treatment is taking a four-day pulse of (40 mg) dexamethasone once a month. I have done this for five years now and am wondering what long-term effects this drug might have on my body. I have heard it can cause cataracts, but what else could it do?

You are correct that long-term use of steroids, such as dexamethasone, can increase the risk of developing cataracts. Other side effects associated with prolonged steroid use include atrophy of the upper arm and upper leg muscles, avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply) and osteoporosis. Many people also experience thinning of the skin, causing them to bruise more easily. Swelling of the face, development of a fat pad between the shoulder blades, and weight gain can also occur. Not of least importance, steroids may increase the risk of developing infections and can lengthen the time it takes for wounds to heal.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about
your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of
interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make
choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here.